Chapter 1654


    Chapter 1654


    “Let’s hit the road,” Desiree said with a smile, but her eyes glinted with sly calction.


    Skyler edged quietly to the left, her small frame nearly stered against the car door. Zavier, on the


    other hand, sprawled out in his seat, seemingly unfazed by the addition of another person in the car.


    The school and the Rivera mansion were in opposite directions. Now, during the rush hour after work,


    the cars were stuck in traffic all the way.


    Zavier was getting restless. “What’s this dinner that’s so important?”


    The driver, cautious and dutiful, answered, “Mr. Zavier, my job is just to drive.”


    Zavier asked, “You are not going to eat?”e2


    The driver remained silent.


    ?avier, clearly annoyed, tugged at his cor and then pulled out his phone. [Let’s see who’s up for


    some gaming.]


    Garrett’s voice message came quickly, [Yeah, man, been waiting for you to join the game.]


    Soon enough, Zavier was deeply engrossed in his game.


    Without headphones, the game sounds and conversations filled the confined space, almost giving


    Skyler a headache.


    After mentally preparing herself, Skyler finally mustered the courage to speak up, “Zavier, would you


    mind using headphones while ying?” Zavier ignored herpletely.


    Thinking he hadn’t heard her, Skyler raised her voice slightly, “Zavier, do you mind-”


    But before she could finish, Zavier cut her off sharply, “If you can’t handle the noise, don’t ride in my


    car. Get out and hail a cab. Or better yet, buy your owr car, drive yourself, and have all the silence you


    want.”


    Skyler was at a loss for words. She had thought about taking a cab from school to the Rivera mansion,


    but the fare would likely cost around two hundred bucks. Every penny was precious to her, and she


    couldn’t bear to waste money on a taxi ride.


    Unable to justify the expense, she resigned herself to enduring Zavier’s noisy gaming. Fortunately, after


    a while, Zavier did put on his headphones, though Skyler couldn’t tell if it was out of conscience or


    irritation.


    After nearly two hours of traffic, they arrived at the Rivera mansion at seven-thirty in the evening.


    October in the Capital was already cold, the autumn breeze chilling to the bone. Skyler, who was


    particrly sensitive to the cold, was wrapped up like a mummy. Still, when she stepped out of the car,


    a gust of wind made her shiver.


    Zavier, dressed lightly, seemedpletely unaffected by the cold. He got out and strode ahead with


    long, confident steps. Skyler tightened her coat and followed at a distance.


    Kalene, Zavier’s mother, blocked his path, “Son, wait for Skyler.”


    Stuck in traffic for so long, Zavier had be quite irritable. Now, having to wait for Skyler, he spoke


    impatiently to his own mother, “Mom, I don’t want to wait for her.”


    Kalene patted his hand gently, “Son, for your brother’s sake, be patient.”


    At the mention of his brother, Zavier relented. He turned back, ncing coldly at Skyler, “Can you pick


    up the pace? Your legs aren’t short. Why do you move so slowly?”


    Skyler hurried to catch up.


    It wasn’t that she was slow. She knew he didn’t like her too close, so she purposefully kept her


    distance.


    As Skyler approached, she greeted Kalene politel


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “Good evening, Mrs. Rivera.”


    Kalene took Skyler’s hand warmly, “My dear, have you been skipping meals? You look like you’ve lost


    weight.”


    Then she turned to her son, “Zavier, you’re older than Skyler and the closest thing she has to family in


    the Capital. You need to look out for her, and make sure she isn’t going hungry or cold. Understand?”